"I don’t believe so. I don’t think rap really fits in to 'American Idol' in the sense that I believe rap is an art form in itself more akin to poetry, more akin to drama, if you will," he said during a press call last week. "I think rap in the street when they have rap competitions is thrilling because these kids are making it up and having a go at each other. They’ve got something to say. This is about getting their frustrations out. Hip-hop is a way of life. It isn’t a genre in truth in 'American Idol.'"

(If that disheartens you as an aspiring artist, keep in mind that Minaj herself has urged developing rappers to steer clear of "Idol," telling press last month that she “definitely [doesn't] think a rapper should be in this competition. ... The hip-hop community wants you to be credible. ... I would never go on a show like this as a rapper. I wouldn’t encourage anyone else as a rapper to come on. I don’t think it's authentic.")

With that squared away, Lythgoe went on to mention the changes that are going to take place: the show made an effort to head out into smaller towns to find potential contestants who may not have been able to make it to auditions held in a larger neighboring city, which widened the talent pool; they also used "I Nominate," which let friends and family nominate a strong vocalist who was too nervous or shy to head out for the audition; and they've switched Hollywood Week up a bit.

"First time ever in Hollywood Week, we split the weeks up and gave a week to the boys and then a week to the girls, which really gave us an awful lot more focus on our talent this year that allowed us to see the woods through the trees, if you will," he said. "We’re going to continue to do that during the Vegas rounds as well up until the point we get to our top ten."

As for his oft-bickering new judges, Lythgoe admitted that he wasn't thrilled with the behavior displayed thus far, or the resulting reports.

"I don’t think that’s been a bonus in any way, shape or form, to be frank. It’s not publicity that I welcomed," he told press. "I really do - and I’ve said all the way since we began this show - it’s about the contestants. The judges are always going to be interesting because they are who they are, but the show is about the contestants. I don’t really want to know that there’s been a huge blow-up between them or anything like that and have it all taken out of proportion ... I’m not into that sort of publicity."

And yet, there's no denying that some viewers will be watching specifically for the catfights. "Everybody tells me I should be grateful for that," Lythgoe went on. "I would much prefer that they watch because these judges are excellent. Nicki Minaj I think is one of the best judges I’ve ever worked with."

His hope is that the focus will stay on the talent at hand - although he emphasizes that "Idol" isn't just looking for a great set of pipes, like another show we could name.

"It isn’t always about the voice; it is about charisma, it is about personality, it is about attracting an audience and doing that week on week," Lythgoe said, noting that the girls are a talented bunch this season.

"That is not to say that one of the boys will not sneak in because there are, I would say just off the top of my head, five or six really good guys and only five of them are going to make the top 10. At the end of the day when you’ve got five guys and five girls, the strength of talent, the depth of talent, doesn’t matter. You’re still only dealing with five males and five females. It’s anybody’s game at that stage."

I have watched AI since it started and I can honestly say that this is the worst season I have ever seen. All the arguments, making fun of contestants and most of all, Nikki is trying to control the show. Since when can someone like her say who has talent and who doesn't. It seems like she is saying outrageous things to keep the cameras on her. I predict that American Idol is over............................

that was to get gaga too sing walk this way....7 puzzled locked hidden. bureau is letting go...sometimes nikki lives on the edge even if its making her look like she has nothing to get what she needs but it was all worth it for the press–pictures movies...nobody cares didn't affect anything and never wil especially when i head to my next job position.
i'm heading to the see.e..oe soon.

i do wish you well–but life must go on and negative is over for nikki. we must focus on good things...

God I wish all these morons would stop with the 'Shes looks like such a freak' crap. DO you want all pop stars to wear boring jeans and t-shirt and sing about love? Yes you prolly do cause you BORING!!!!

Keith Urban is a class act. Randy Jackson needs to change his same old, same old garbage. Mariah Carey is a
pleasant enough person and seems sincere. Nicki Minaj is just so annoying and ridiculous looking that it's almost
worth giving up the show completely, but I like to see the talent when it gets down to the real talent.

99% of the people who write in here are idiots. The word is you're, not your, and some of you need to seriously get
some English lessons...what a bunch of illiterates.

Nicki Minaj is just the latest no-talent train wreck to grace AI judges table. looks like she's wearing one of Christina Aguilera's old wigs. She is a weird freak show almost as bad as Britney Spears. AI is still one of the most pointless shows on TV. Go away.

Nicki is a great singer but has absolutely no brains. She is sooo annoying. When she talks she does not add anything useful to the discussion/evaluation of the participant. She never has anything intelligent to say. She is sooo annoying that I am not watching AI anymore. I couldn't take her comments anymore after 10 minutes or so.

I watched AI for 10 minutes the other night for the first time in about 6-7 years.. Worst show ever. The judges arguing takes away from the contestants. I have a question, what does Nicki Minaj do? Does she have a talent? YUCK YUCK YUCK. Maybe i will watch the show again in 2020.

I may not be in the desired demographic for the show, but I have enjoyed AI for about six years. As I read the stories of the NM/MK spats before the current season began I was worried. My worries have come true. If NM keeps up the adolescent attacks on MK I will have to move on – it's too painful to watch. It may be appealing to 14 year-old girls, and I suppose that is the goal of turning the show from a talent search to a catfight. Has AI simply jumped the shark in an attempt to improve ratings? I agree that NM has judging skills, and truly hope she can develop decent relationships with the other judges, all of whom I like. But it appears that she is trying to take over the show with her clown suits and antics. AI, please come back!

Nicki Manij is a no talented,self centered piece of trash.I don't see why she is on "Idol" and I don't understand why "Idol" is still on the air.The show should have been cancelled after last year.I will not watch "Idol" any this season.Lady Gaga would have been a better judge.I feel sorry for Randy Jackson and Keith Urban.They have to be in the middle of all that drama.Please..please..PLEASE let this be the very last season of "Idol" and quit polluting people's eyes with garbage.

American Idol 2013 is a train wreck. Toooooo much about the judges. Hate Nikki – too full of herself. American Idol turning in to the Jerry Springer of Reality Singing shows. Can't wait until So You Think You Can Dance – Nigel don't mess with it. The judges are there for the contestants not for themselves as American Idol has turned into.
Deleted American Idol from my DVR

I still don't understand why AI hired two judges, one hip hop and the other country when AI is trying to find a pop star. AI should not allow the contestants to play an instrument and they should have more weeks where the contestants have to sing current pop songs. Once the contestants are narrowed down to four or five I would like them to sing two songs on an episode. However, I would like to hear each contestant sing the same song to see how each one would interpret it. Also, tone down the theatrics, no need for marching bands, explosives, or fire. But, like others I will not be watching due to the hiring of Nicki Minja and Keith Urban.

"It isn’t always about the voice; it is about charisma, it is about personality, it is about attracting an audience and doing that week on week," Lythgoe said, noting that the girls are a talented bunch this season.

Then why is it, year after year, the winner just vanishes or their career is what one would call far less than stellar. A couple of successes out of all the seasons they have run is just embarrassing as is this show, anymore.